Cyclone research reports
Community Reports
Perth, Western Australia
The Perth region is subject to a range of meteorologically related hazards including winter storms, summer storms, floods, tropical cyclones, heatwaves and bushfires. Of these, cool-season storms are the most frequent event and, on average, have the greatest economic impact.
South East Queensland
There is little doubt that tropical cyclones pose a significant threat to the urban communities of south east Queensland. These spectacular meteorological phenomena are very large and have the potential to bring severe losses to the whole region.
- Tropical cyclone risks chapter (PDF 2.1Mb)
- Full report introduction and index
- Full report summarised version (PDF 576kb)
Cairns
Since Cairns was founded in 1876 there have been at least 53 cyclones which have had a reported or measured impact on the city. One of the first, on 8 March 1878, almost destroyed the settlement before it had a chance to fully establish.
- Tropical cyclone risks chapter (PDF 629 kb)
- Full report introduction and index
- Full report summarised version (PDF 4.2 Mb)
Mackay
There have been at least 77 cyclones which have had an impact on Mackay since the settlement was founded in 1862. The most significant impact was caused by a cyclone on 21 January 1918 in which the combined effects of strong winds, storm tide and flood resulted in the death of 30 people and destruction of, or damaged to around 75% of the buildings in the town.
Gladstone
The Community Risk in Gladstone report considers tropical cyclones along with severe wind and storm tide as well as earthquakes.
Fieldwork
Severe tropical cyclone Larry crossed the far north Queensland coast near Etty Bay around 7am on 20 March, 2006. It then tracked west-northwest and passed directly over the town of Innisfail. Within 48 hours teams from Geoscience Australia were on the ground to begin a program of assessing building and crop damage. The assessment continued for 3 weeks.
Risk modelling reports
The modelling of severe wind gust is a fundamental part of any wind hazard assessment. Statistical modelling is used for the most part to describe the probability of extreme wind occurrences.
AusGeo News
Tropical cyclone Larry was classified as a ‘midget’ cyclone due to the limited range of its destructive winds and the reduced exposure of coastal communities to cyclonic winds and airborne debris. This occurred because the cyclone moved relatively quickly after making landfall.
On Christmas Day 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin with winds gusting to 237 km/h. The cyclone resulted in the deaths of 71 people, including six lost at sea, and, according to the Insurance Disaster Response Organisation, caused more than A$837 million dollars damage.
Geoscience Australia Library Catalogue
The Geoscience Australia Library is the premier geoscience library in Australia. Established in 1946, the library has an extensive collection of earth sciences material and is open to the public.More>>
- Search the Library for Cyclone titled books and reports
- Catalogue Search
- Library Services and Access
- Library Contact Information
External research links
- Cyclone Larry Forum Report (2006) –James Cook University (PDF 4.7Mb)
- Tropical cyclone Larry - Bureau of Meteorology
- Tropical Cyclones Affecting West Coast Towns – Bureau of Meteorology
- Tropical cyclone impacts along the Australian east coast from November to April (1858 to 2004). Bureau of Meteorology
- Severe Weather Events - Bureau of Meteorology
Further Reading
Related Websites
- Emergency Management Australia - Cyclones
- Bureau of Meteorology - Surviving Cyclones
- Bureau of Meteorology - El Niño/Southern Oscillation wrap up
- Bureau of Meteorology - FAQ
- Bureau of Meteorology - Cyclone Names
- National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration - Climate Predition Center
- Australian Severe Weather - Cyclone
- Emergency Management Australia Library